Method of constructing monolithic canalized structures



July 23, 1935. J. P. L. MOURRAILLE METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING MONOLITHIC CANALIZED STRUCTURES Filed July 1, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l y A f arwg y 1935- J. P. L. MOURRAILLE 2,009,362

METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING MONOLITHIC CANALIZED STRUCTURES Filed July 1, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 f7: (/8 far J w Pierre can fi/mrrezl/P Patented July 23, 1935 Q UNITED 009, METHOD OF GONSTRUCTING MONQEITHIC Y GANALIZEDSTRUGTURES- Jean Pierre. Louis Moiurraille,v Paris Erance, assignon to- Ste. dite: SATUJO,. St- An de. Construction de. Tiiyaux sans Joints, Systme CravettoBi'evet' S. G. D; G'., Paris; France- Application Julyf 131 1933}, Serial: Non 678*,71'1

In France October '28, 1982 p Claims; (Cl; 454) This invention relates to. a. method of constructing. monolithic canalized. structures, and more particularly refers to the construction of: canalized; structures in. cement,. reinforced:v .or

5' otherwise, mixed directly on. the:.spot,. without joints.

Monolithic pipes made of cement. or: like-materials by, employing mouldsf-formedrby an elastic' core, for example a pipemadefromiaiflexible ma 10. terial such as canvas or rubberized fabric, in-

flated' and maintained: under. pressurerby means. of an appropriate fluid; are; not: in: a: broadsense new. Various means have. also. been. suggested for: the removal of: the aforesaid core,..asz each.

pipe section is completed- However, the construction of such pipes: in.

tioned, said method being. characterized in that it consists in. maintaining the core; underpressure during the time wherr'saidcore; is with-p drawn.

under a pressuresalmost equivalent .to: the: pres;-

pouring of the cement.

Anothen feature of themethodis thattheflxsure maintained in the. said core during: the.

ible. core is removedby causingthe mouldpipe to:

begradually turned. within; itself. so as. toinsure thBEfiOW of the fluidused for theinflation thereof, while the pressure withinthe'corezis: maintained;v I

In order that the invention may more. readily bequnderstood andv carriedinto practice embodiments thereof will now be. described,.solely by; way of example, with reference to. the acconr-x panying: drawings, in which:

form of device whereby the method according: tothe: invention can: be carried. into practice;

Eig; 2 is a front view of the distributingztray; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on =therline:

IIIIII .of- Fig. 2;

Fig. i is a view in vertical seotionshowing another form of device, also adapted toscarry the inventioninto. practice; and.

structures without joints in cement, reinforced or i not-,,a-.mould pipe made from agiiexible material During the operation" of the core (mouldpipe): removal, it: is preferable to: maintain. said. core;

Fig; 1;. is aview in longitudinal-section.of a

on'substa-nceafor; instance; canvas or rubberized:

maintained: under pressure: while the. cement is mixed and: poured: over it;

With ,the heretofore. known process, it has been found. impossible to withdraw the mould pipe: whenzeachrcanalized lsection is completed; as this. withdrawal causesgdamage' to the; mould pipeit self-wand to; the: inner surface of. the" canalized structure, in some cases even: diminishing. the in ternalrresistanceiofnsaidstructure.

According; to? the.- invention; the? withdrawal is effectediniturninggthemould pipeinside outwhile still'unden pressure; aszwi'll be presently explained.

. Theimould pipe-during: the; whole time of the withdrawalris maintained under apressurealmost equivalent to: the-pressure.- used while: the cement isbeing poured: This procedure permitsof ob-- taining j at canalized: structure; having a uniform section-throughout its length and. also prevents damage toithe mouldwpipe while it is being; with-' drawn.

p In the :process: according? to the invention, as illustrated in Figs..1 to 3-, Iiutilize';.fortheconstruc-- tion-of canalizedstructures without joints, acol-- lapsible core 1, that is:to;say.-,.a pipe'made'from a flexible substance=or material, such. as,v for instance, canvass or rubberizedvfabric; of a length and; diameter corresponding-to thedimensions of the canalized structural to beproduced;

Therpipe': is closed at:one'-end;.by means-of an appropriatefastening; or; bushinga 3.; acable- 4 going across said: closed: end. The; fastening' 3: must; be; suchs that the-pipe is perfectly water-- tight; and: om the. otherhand, cable '4=-must be fixed; so that itwill not slip:-.

Thewlength of. cable 4 should preferably be at least-twice the lengthrofwpipe: I; theportions: of said. cable: 4- remaining respectively inside and"; outside pipe: .I: being: approximately of the same 1eneth-.. 7

At its open end, pipe I is equipped with an apparatuson devicewshown imdetail in Figs; 2- and- 3. Thisdevice comprises twoflanged: bushings-dandliywhioh; are:toi' -befixedx respectively torthe mould. pipe I and toa supply conduit containinga fluid under pressure, comingseither. from a tank'or a pump; or any: other suitablesource:

The two bushingsviiand fi are-couplectto each other by means: of bolts" or: any other suitable means 1-,..a',distr-ibuting tray: 8 beinginterposed therebetween. Said." tray is provided with two series: of" valves: 9: and: l0=,[ opening in. opposite directions (see Big: 3:) and;sconsequently referred to..-asiinletvalvesi and. exhaustivalves.

The valves 9 and ID are equal in number (-four inexampleshown) and are evenly, distributed on the'tray'. I

- The springs Hwoft theexhaust valves llirareso arrangedthat theyican only openrwhen the pres-w sure in the flexible pipe I is above a predetermined maximum, controlled by a manometer I2, fitted on bushing 5.

Cable 4 extends through the center of the dis tributing tray 8 which is correspondingly pro-v be constructed, a flexible pipe I. of an appropriate length is placed upon a bedof cement, and bushing 6 is joined to the pipe supplying the fluid under pressure. inlet valves 9 open and the fluid penetrates within the flexible pipe I. When the pressure in the flexible pipe has reached the predetermined value indicated by the manometer I2, the supply of fluid is turned off or else bushing 6 is detached from the supply pipen Inlet valves 9 are then maintained on their respective seats, on oneside by their spring I4 and on the other side by the fluid contained in the mould pipe I. On the other hand, the pressure within the mould pipe remainsunchanged, said pipe being waterproof.

Cement is then poured in theusual manner around the flexible pipe I. 7 Unless it has already been done, bushing 6 is then disconnected from the supply pipe of the fluid under pressure, preparatory to the removal of the mould pipe. Cable 4 is then pulled outwardly through tray 8, by means of a handle I5. This operation has for its object to increase the pressure inside the flexible pipe I whereby exhaust valves I 0 will immediately open; conse-' quently, the fluid under pressure contained in the flexible pipe I is forced out, while at the same time the flexible pipe is turned'inside out, as shown in Fig. l.

The pull on cable 4 is maintained until the end of the fastening of the pipe I reaches against the device I 3. At this stage, bushing 5 is disconnected so as to remove pipe I from its housing. It is necessary to replace the fluid retaining appa ratus described by a suitable coupling, so as to let the water contained in pipe I come out slowly as said pipe is turned insideout.

Another device which makes it possible to insure the complete withdrawal-of pipe I, in just as good a condition as the apparatus previously described, is shown in Figs. 4 and 5, this second device having the advantage of greater simplicity. In this case, for creating pressure within pipe I, it is necessary to use a tank I6 resting upon the ground by means of supports II, the height of these being such that the pressure inside pipe I, as it will be seen later, will be sufficient to maintain the latter fully expanded when the cement is poured.

The tank I6, which can be of any suitable form, is provided with inclined tubes I8, extending through its bottom and supported by means of packing I9.

The upper ends of tubes I8 are cut at a slant and are placed horizontally in a common plane. The tank has, besides, an overflow outlet 20 at the same level as the horizontal plane delimiting the upper ends of tubes I8. The overflow outlet 29 is equipped with a drain 2I 1 The device is completed by a shaft 22 carried by the tank I6 and provided with a loose roller 23.

The method of manipulating this device is as follows: I

The trench 24 in which the canalized structure is to be located having been prepared, a lining 25 is poured at the base of this trench, and upon said lining are placedthe pipes I, which are to Under the action of said fluid,

be used as moulds for the construction of the canalized structure.

As shown, the closed end of each pipe I is inserted within the front end of the stump of canalized structure previously constructed, the free end of the said pipe being inserted over the corresponding tube I8 with the assistance of suitable means.

The various pipes 'I being connected to the corresponding tubes I8 are filled with a fluid, water for example, until they attain the required pressure.

This being done, tank I6 is also filled with the fluid, the fluid level in the said tank reaching only the upper ends of tubes I8.

By virtue of this arrangement an equal pressure obtains and is maintained within the various tains is discharged into tank I6 and thence immediately through outlet 20.

No matter what the position of pipes I is, the level of the water in the tank I6 remains the same, and it follows that also the pressure in the pipes I remains uniform.

The roller 23 has for its object to maintain the proper alignment of cables 4 and to facilitate their operation while the pull is applied thereto.

It is, of course, possible to use a second tank combined with tank I6, adapted to collect the water discharged from the latter as each pipe I is turned inside out. In this manner the water used for putting the pipes under pressure can be saved, this being particular interesting when working in localities where water is scarce.

It alsomeans a saving in the cost of constructing the canalized structure.

By the process according to the invention, it

is possible to. eifect a quick withdrawal of the flexible core I without the canalized structure being damaged internally in any manner. It is, therefore, possible to produce tubular conduits of an even section.

The feature of withdrawing the flexible core I whilst still under pressure prevents the said core from sagging and forming within the conduit an obstruction preventing it from yielding in the inside out turning thereof.

Although the invention has been described in connection with single pipe structures, it can obviously be applied for the construction of canalized structures with numerous channels. In such case, the required number of flexible pipes are placed near one another and maintained suitably apart by appropriate means, sluices or others.

Forthe construction of a canalized structure of reinforced cement the procedure is as explained above, the conduit to be covered with cement being made of a metallic trellis placed around the mould pipe.

It is obvious that the invention is in nowise limited to the embodiments which have been more especially described by way of example, but that it extends to all possible modifications coming, fairly, within the scope of the appended claims.

- I claim:

1. In a method ofconstructing a. canalized structure whereby a self-setting plastic material is poured about a hollow, flexible core inflated by fluid pressure, and said core is subsequently withdrawn after said material has reached a suitable degree of consistency, the step which consists in pulling the inner end of said core throughout the length thereof so as to cause said core to be turned inside out and thus to become gradually disengaged from the inner surface of said structure, and maintaining said core under a pressure suflicient to maintain the inflation of its unturned portion, while its withdrawal takes lace.

p 2. In a method of constructing a canalized structure whereby a self-setting plastic material is poured about a hollow, flexible core inflated by fluid pressure, and said core is subsequently withdrawn after said material has reached a suitable degree of consistency, the step which consists in pulling the inner end of said core throughout the length thereof so as to cause said core to be turned inside out and thus to become gradually disengaged from the inner surface of said structure, and maintaining said core under a substantially uniform pressure suflicient to maintain the inflation of its unturned portion, while its withdrawal takes place.

3. In a method of constructing a canalized structure whereby a self-setting plastic material is poured about a hollow, flexible core inflated by fluid pressure, and said core is subsequently withdrawn after said material has reached a suitable degree of consistency, the step which consists in pulling the inner end of said core throughout the length thereof so as to cause said core to be turned insideout and thus to become gradually disengaged from the inner surface of said structure, and maintaining said core under a substantially uniform pressure while its withdrawal takes place, said pressure being substantially equivalent to the fluid pressure employed to maintain said core in its inflated condition during the pouring of said plastic material.

4. The method of constructing a canalized structure, which consists in pouring a self-set-' ting plastic material about a hollow, flexible core inflated by fluid pressure, and after said material has reached a suitable degree of consistency, withdrawing the core by pulling its inner end throughout the length thereof so as to cause said core to be turned inside out and thus to become gradually disengaged from the inner surface of said structure, while a pressure sufficient to maintain the inflation of its unturned portion, is maintained within said core.

5. The method of constructing a canalized structure, which consists in pouring a self-setting plastic material about a hollow, flexible core inflated by fluid pressure, and after said material has reached a suitable degree of consistency, withdrawing the core by pulling its inner end throughout the length thereof so as to cause said core to be turned inside out and thus to become gradually disengaged from the inner surface of said structure, while a substantially uniform pressure sufficient to maintain the inflation of its unturned portion, is maintained within said core.

6. The method of constructing a canalized structure, which consists in pouring a self-setting plastic material about a hollow, flexible core inflated by fluid pressure, and after said material has reached a suitable degree of consistency, withdrawing the core by pulling its inner end throughout the length thereof so as to cause said core to be turned inside out and thus to become gradually disengaged from the inner surface of said structure, while a substantially uniform pressure is maintained within said core, said pressure being practically equivalent to the pressure employed to maintain said core in its inflated condition during the pouring of the plastic material.

'7. The method of constructing a canalized structure, which consists in pouring a self-setting plastic material about a hollow, flexible core filled with a fluid under pressure, maintaining the same in an inflated condition, and, after said material has reached a suitable degree of consistency, withdrawing the core by pulling its inner end throughout the length thereof, so as to cause said core to be turned inside out and thus to become gradually disengaged from the inner surface of said structure, while the fluid therein contained is gradually ejected therefrom, and applying an action antagonistic to the outflow of said fluid at least to the extent of maintaining the inflation of the unturned portion of the core.

8. The method of constructing a canalized structure, which consists in pouring a self-setting plastic material about a hollow, flexible core filled with a fluid under pressure, maintaining the same in an inflated condition, and, after said material has reached a suitable degree of consistency, withdrawing the core by pulling its inner end throughout the length thereof, so as to cause said core to be turned inside out and thus to become gradually disengaged from the inner surface of said structure, while the fluid therein contained is gradually ejected therefrom, and ap-' plying an action antagonistic to the outflow of said fluid so as to maintain the non-ejected por tion thereof under a substantially uniform pressure at least suflicient to maintain inflated the unturned portion of the core.

9. The method of constructing a canalized structure, which consists in pouring a self-setting plastic material about a hollow, flexible core filled with a fluid under pressure, maintaining the same in an inflated condition, and, after said material has reached a suitable degree of consistency, withdrawing the core by pulling its inner end throughout the length thereof, so as to cause said core to be turned inside out and thus to become gradually disengaged from the inner surface of said structure, While the fluid therein contained is gradually ejected therefrom, and applying an action antagonistic to the outflow of said fluid so as to maintain the nonejected portion thereof under a pressure substantially equivalent to the pressure used to maintain said core in an inflated condition, while the plastic material is being poured.

10. The method of constructing acanalized structure, which consists in pouring a self-setting plastic material about a hollow, flexible core filled with water under pressure, maintaining the same in an inflated condition, and, after said material has reached a suitable degree of consistency, withdrawing the core by pulling its inner end throughout the length thereof, so as to cause said core to be turned inside out and thus to become gradually disengaged from the inner surface of said structure, while the water therein contained is gradually ejected therefrom, and maintaining said water under a predetermined constant head, during both the pouring and the core reversing operation.

JEAN PIERRE LOUIS MOURRAIILE. 

